Sports Equipment with Repositionable Reminders

ABSTRACT

In some sports it is difficult for a coach to instruct his player during a game or match. For example, the coach may be out of earshot from the player. In tennis, the rules for elite amateur and professional matches prohibit a coach from instructing a player during a match. This is problematic because a player, especially a young player, can be easily distracted from his or her game or strategy. It would be desirable to be able to remind the player of certain desired aspects of his game or to provide words of encouragement when needed in real time during the match to direct the player back to a game-winning strategy.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional application No. 61/440,473 with the same title dated, 8 Feb. 2011.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to sports equipment. It relates more particularly to a system of repositionable reminders that are attachable to sports equipment such as wristbands and towels.

BACKGROUND

In some sports it is difficult for a coach to instruct his player during a game or match. For example, the coach may be out of earshot from the player. In tennis, the rules for elite amateur and professional matches prohibit a coach from instructing a player during a match. This is problematic because a player, especially a young player, can be easily distracted from his or her game or strategy. It would be desirable to be able to remind the player of certain desired aspects of his game or to provide words of encouragement when needed in real time during the match to direct the player back to a game-winning strategy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a system of repositionable reminders that are attachable to sports equipment. In the preferred embodiment, flexible message tabs are attached to a terry cloth towel or wristband using hook-and-loop fastener. A message is visible to the player on each message tab.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a towel with removable reminders.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a wristband with removable reminders.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a message tab.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a message tab.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a portion of the towel of FIG. 1 showing the message tag in place

FIG. 6 is a top view of a portion of the towel of FIG. 1 showing the message tab being pulled away from the towel.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of the towel of FIG. 1 showing the message tab in place.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a portion of the towel of FIG. 1 showing the message tab being pulled away from the towel.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a towel with removable reminders and promotional material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Removable messages are placed on sports equipment to provide instruction to an athlete. In the preferred embodiments, the sports equipment is fabric, such as terry cloth. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, one or more message tabs 10 is removably attached to a terry cloth towel 9. FIG. 2 shows message tabs attached to a terry cloth wristband 20. Preferably the message tab 10 is attachable to the fabric by mating sides of hook-and-loop fastener on its underside. The softer loop portion of the hook-and-loop fastener is attached to the towel so that if left uncovered it does not scratch the user's skin.

The message tab 10 is made of fabric or other flexible, imprintable material. FIG. 3 shows the top of a message tab 10 onto which a message 15 is printed or embroidered on so that it is visible by the player. FIG. 4 shows the bottom of a message tab 10, on which a portion of hook fastener 13 is attached, preferably by sewing or gluing. The hook portion does not extend the full length of the tab 10 so that a portion of the message tab 10 remains unattached, creating a loose end that can be gripped by the user to more easily remove the message tab 10. The portion of the message tab 10 that attaches to the fabric is indicated in the figures as attachable end 12. The portion of the message tab 10 that does not attach to the sports equipment is indicated in the figures as free end 11.

A portion of loop fastener forms a base 14 for the message tab 10 to be attached to the fabric. To attach a message, the message tab 10 is placed over the loop base 14 such that the hooks of the message tab 10 engage the loops of the base 14. To remove a message tab 10, the free end 11 is pulled away form the base 14, disengaging the hooks and loops. See FIGS. 5-8. The message tab 10 can be stored elsewhere for future use, and the base 14 remains on the towel.

The message tabs are placed in a desired location that will allow the message to be seen but that does not interfere with use of the sports equipment. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the loop fastener may be attached near the end of a towel 9, which keeps the center of the towel free for the player to dry himself or equipment. Preferably the messages are positive and motivational. Promotional information may be included on a towel for additional motivation. For example, FIG. 9 shows the US Open logo and the last name of Kim Clijsters and the flag of her country, Belgium.

The preferred embodiments have been described here using hook-and-loop fasteners on fabric. Hook-and-loop fasteners can be used on sports equipment other than fabric, too. For example, adhesive-backed loop bases may be adhered to shin guards, racquets, gloves or other ridged sports equipment, and the message tabs attached to them. Alternative fasteners may be used, some of which do not require a base on the sports equipment. For example, in lieu of the hook fastener on the message tab 10, adhesive may be used and the message tab 10 stuck directly to sports equipment. Preferably the adhesive would be repositionable. Other acceptable fasteners include snaps and magnets.

While there has been illustrated and described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that this invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A wristband comprised of up to one or more repositionable pull-tabs reminders attached by Velcro or adhesive, used to motivate, instruct and game plan during any sporting activity. 